Shimla: In order to make the state pollution free, Himachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board is carrying out the “Polythene Hatao, Paryavaran Bachao” (Remove polythene, save environment) campaign.

The use of polythene has significantly reduced in HP after the State government imposed a ban on it. Despite the efforts of the state government, heaps of plastic polythene waste can be found in the mountainous regions, forest areas and near rivers.

Keeping the aforesaid factors in mind, the State Pollution Control Board launched the drive to prevent the use of polythene in the state.

As per the annual report (2009-10) of the Board, the state is generating142 tonne plastic polythene waste per year. State capital Shimla tops the list of plastic waste with 42.54 ton waste, followed by Solan with 27.80 tonne.

Kangra is on the third position with 18.80 ton plastic waste, whereas Hamirpur generated 01.19 ton plastic garbage.

The government has used the plastic waste in the construction of about 800 meter road.The State Pollution Control Board has decided to set up Air Quality Monitoring Stations at 14 sites of the seven cities which prominently included Dharamshala, Manali, Sundar Nagar and Una.